Maricopa County health inspectors cited nine metro Phoenix stores for several priority food safety violations during the week of Aug. 3. Violations included moldy cheeseburgers, dozens of flies near onions and ambient-temperature milk and butter.
A priority violation is a major violation that directly contributes to an increased risk of foodborne illness or injury. If listed in inspection reports, remedies implemented during the inspection are noted.
Maricopa County Environmental Services regulates grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations that sell prepared food under the same rules as restaurants and conducts routine inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.
During the week of Aug. 3, inspectors visited nearly 1,500 grocery
stores, restaurants and other food-serving facilities in hospitals, senior homes and schools. Here's a look at the retail stores with the worst offenses across the Valley.
27 Phoenix, Phoenix
The 27 Phoenix, which also operates under the name 24/7 Convenience Store and is located at 10625 N. 19th Ave. in Phoenix, was cited for two priority violations.
- Three cheeseburger sliders had green mold on their bread buns. The store's manager discarded the items.
- The store had 10 cheeseburgers and 10 deli sandwiches held at a temperature well above the safe cold-holding limit. All were discarded.
Shell, Peoria
The Shell located at 9102 W. Peoria Ave. in Peoria was cited for one priority violation.
- Gallons of milk and flavored milk were stored at unsafe temperatures. The milk was discarded, and the store moved new products to a colder area. This was a second consecutive violation.
T's Liquor and convenience store, Tempe
T's Liquor and convenience store, located at 1301 E. University Drive in Tempe, was cited for one priority violation.
- Milk and butter were stored in a refrigerator at ambient temperature. Since the products had been stocked in the fridge only two hours before, they were moved to a working refrigerator to cool down properly.
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Circle K, Tempe and Phoenix
Two Circle K stores, located at 7550 S. Rural Road in Tempe and at 6322 N. 12th St. in Phoenix, were cited for one priority violation each.
- Tempe location: Meat sandwiches, smoothies and dairy products were stored at unsafe temperatures in a cooler. The foods had been there since the previous day and were discarded. The manager was also told not to use that cooler until it is repaired.
- Phoenix location: Sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs and meat-and-cheese packs were stored at unsafe temperatures for more than four hours. The foods were discarded by the manager.
AJ's Fine Foods, Phoenix
The AJ's located at 4430 E. Camelback Road in Phoenix was cited for one priority violation.
- Cut watermelon was stored at an unsafely warm temperature in a cooler. The watermelon had been there since the previous day and was discarded.
Asiana Market, Mesa
The Asiana Market located at 1135 S. Dobson Road in Mesa was cited for one priority violation.
- Inspectors found more than 25 flies on and around onions, some of which were soft, discolored and growing organic matter. The affected onions were discarded.
Cafe Balkan, Phoenix
The European market inside Cafe Balkan, located at 21043 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, was cited for one priority violation.
- Cut lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, pork, sausage and homemade tzatziki were stored at unsafe temperatures in a cooler. All the foods were discarded.
CVS Pharmacy, Phoenix
The CVS located at 3210 E. Union Hills Drive in Phoenix was cited for one priority violation.
- Multiple "grab and go" refrigerated foods and drinks, including yogurt, cheese, sandwiches, deli meat and protein shakes, were stored at unsafe temperatures in a cooler for several days. All the food items were discarded.
Connect with the reporter at laura.sepulveda@arizonarepublic.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fly-covered moldy onions among violations found at Phoenix-area stores
